The Florida chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association has announced the Hall of Fame inductees and the annual award winners for the 2016 harness racing season.
The winners will be honoured at the association's 26th annual Hall of Fame Awards Dinner on Friday, March 10 at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort and Spa in Pompano Beach.
Elected to the chapter's Hall of Fame – which recognizes special individuals who have been outstanding leaders within the industry for more than ten years and who have contributed to the betterment of the Standardbred industry – are veteran breeder, owner and trainer, Mark Freidman of Delray Beach and trainer Dan Hennessey of Coconut Creek, the older brother of Hall of Famer Wally Hennessey.
Also, being inducted into the Hall of Fame are two stallions whose foals have been dominant in the Florida Sire Stakes program, pacing stallion Rock On and the pacing stallion and racehorse, Royel Millennium. Rock On is owned by Gold Star Farm, Marianne, Maggie and the late Tom Audley of Bell. Royel Millennium is owned by Laurie Poulin of Okeechobee.
For the first time in the history of the Florida chapter of USHWA, there was a tie for the William Popfinger Award for developing outstanding juvenile pacers, and this year the organization will present awards to trainers Mike Deters of Coconut Creek and to Maggie Audley of Bell. For Deters it is the third straight year he has won this award.
The Stanley Dancer Award, which recognizes achievements of a trainer who has been continuously outstanding in the development of young trotters, goes to trainer/driver Sergio Corona of Delray Beach.
Winner of the Delvin G. Miller Award, which recognizes someone or an organization whose life in harness racing reflects dedication and integrity furthering the growth of the sport, goes to longtime owner/breeder and popular horseman, Fred Morosini.
The Frances Dodge Van Lennep Award, which recognizes an outstanding female who has made great contributions to the sport, goes to Marianne Audley of Gold Star Farm.
The winner of the Allen J. Finkelson Award recognizes an individual in the sport who has contributed to the positive promotion of the Standardbred industry and being honoured this year is Gabe Prewitt, the director of racing at the Isle Pompano Park.
The R.D. Ricketts Award, presented to an owner whose contributions to Florida racing have been outstanding, goes to Kevin Kelly of Tamarac.
The winner of the Dana Irving Award for breeding excellent juvenile performers in 2016 goes for the second straight year to Laurie Poulin.
The Dan Gawlas Good Guy Award, presented annually to an outstanding individual who has always contributed positively to the sport, goes to Hall of Fame Communicator John Berry of Pompano Beach.
The Florida USHWA Chapter's Lifetime Achievement Award goes to longtime Pompano Park blacksmith and amateur driver Leon Cable.
The annual Caretaker of the Year Award is presented to an outstanding individual who, over his or her career, has dedicated untiring time and efforts caring for the horses in the stable(s) they worked for. This year's winner is Gary McQuaid of Pompano Beach, who has worked many years for trainers Jay and Kim Sears.
In addition to the Florida USHWA chapter's awards, presentations will also be made by the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association to the owners of the top two and three-year-old state-bred trotters and pacers from the 2016 season and the annual Breeder of the Year Award. The Florida Amateur Driving Club will also present their year-end awards.
Tickets are $80 per person for the full course dinner that begins at 6:00 pm with a one-hour open bar with appetizers. Tables of ten are available.
For more information, to purchase tickets, or place a congratulatory ad in the program book, please contact Rosie Huff at the Florida Standardbred Breeders Office at 954-972-5400, [email protected], or Steven Wolf at 954-654-3757, [email protected].
(USHWA)